Measuring and indicating device



Sept. 19, 1939, E. D. VAN DERSAL 2,173,188

MEASURING AND IND'ICATING DEVICE Filed March 1, 1937 i I INVENTO 1=..D. VAN DERs- ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved form of transparent holder for various objects such as currency, business cards, price lists, photographs, etc.

These and other objects are accomplished in the manner set forth in the following specification, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the information roll.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing how a printed strip is rolled behind the transparent material.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a form of holder for the information roll.

Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 3 with the roll in position as indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another form of holder.

Fig. 6 is an end View of Fig. 5 showing the information roll in dotted lines.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the use of a plurality of transparent elements with the information strip between same.

In order that the person using the measuring device and indicating pointer may have for convenient reference certain types of information, such as, specifications, prices, etc., I have provided an improved form of display device which consists essentially of a sheet of resilient transparent material in strip form, the opposite ends of which are rolled and set into the form of a cylinder of a diameter smaller than that of the entire strip when rolled from one end only, the purpose being to permit the strip to be rolled from either end at the same time causing the roll to hook itself tightly at each end of the strip.

In other words, if a strip of material is rolled from one end to another and then released, it will open up, whereas in my device the strip may be rolled from either endor formed into two rolls each of which will remain tight and the intermediate portion will remain straight as shown in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 3 and 4 is shown a modified form of holder which is in reality two trough-shaped sections 82 which are joined by the table portion 83.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown another modified form of the device in which the holder 84 is a transparent material of a somewhat elliptical crosssection. This holder 84 may be of Celluloid or of any other suitable transparent material which is resilient enough for the purpose. The element 52 in this case may either be of the form illustrated in Fig. 1 or it may be of paper, metal foil or other material which will function properly for this purpose. In such cases the printing may be directly on the element 52. Where cheaper forms of material, such as paper, are employed, it is desirable to use some form of core at each end of the strip and where Celluloid itself is used, it will be found desirable to close each edge of the cylindrical form in order to insure the parts re- 5 taining the properties mentioned.

In other words, when the parts shown in Fig. 1 are inserted into the holder 84 shown in Fig. 5, the added diameter of both of the rolled ends should approximate the length of the elliptical form shown in that figure. Obviously, when the holder 84 is made, it will be cylindrical and will not assume the elliptical shape unless the part 52, or its equivalent, is inserted therein.

In Fig. 7 is shown a transparent material 52 whose ends are rolled as shown in Fig. 1. In conjunction therewith is a second transparent material 85 which is rolled against the inside of the transparent material 52 and the chart 55 or other display material is rolled between the transparent material 52 and 85.

It will be noted that while several forms of the display element are illustrated and described that all involve the same principle and similar methods of operation. For example, in the simple form of the device shown in Fig. 1 wherein the transparent strip 52 is rolled from opposite ends and display material is rolled into the transparent material as explained, all that is necessary for the operator to do is to move the portion which connects the two rolls in one direction and the opposite side of the rolls in the other direction which will cause one roll to wind up and the other to unwind.

In the form of the device shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the two rolls and 8| which form the ends of the transparent material 52 are placed within the cylindrical holder 84, which is only possible when this holder is first flattened out as shown in Fig. 5. To move various portions of the display unit into visible position, it is only necessary to roll the holder 84 between the ends or on a fiat object which will cause the various portions of the display material to be rendered visible.

While I have thus illustrated and described my invention, it will be understood that it is not my intention to limit myself to the precise forms defined, but I do intend to cover all such forms and modifications thereof which fall fairly within the appended claim.

I claim:

A plurality of superimposed strips of transparent material, the opposite ends of which have been rolled to a diameter less than the diameter of the assembled strips when rolled and display material disposed between the strips adapted to be seen therethrough.

ERNEST D. VAN DERSAL. 

